On review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes, Jaws is currently standing 100 percent fresh. It is number 48 on the AFI’s 100 Years, 100 Movies list, appears on the US National Film Registry of "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant films" and is a regular fixture in Greatest Films Of All Time lists — not least Empire’s where it last placed at number 5. Still however much it is feted as a modern classic, some of the on release reviews missed the point by a country mile. Here is the best of the worst….

"A scare machine that works with computer-like precision. ... You feel like a rat, being given shock therapy."Molly Haskell, The Village Voice

"THE ADS SHOW A GAPING SHARK'S MOUTH. IF SHARKS CAN YAWN, THAT'S PRESUMABLY WHAT THIS ONE WAS DOING. IT'S CERTAINLY WHAT I WAS DOING ALL THROUGH THIS PICTURE."Molly Haskell, The Village Voice

"I discerned a tendency to cheer when the shark ate Mr. Shaw. By then sympathies, mine at any rate, were with the fish."Dilys Powell, Sunday Times

"IT'S A MEASURE OF HOW THE FILM OPERATES THAT NOT ONCE DO WE FEEL PARTICULAR SYMPATHY FOR ANY OF THE SHARK'S VICTIMS. ... IN THE BEST FILMS, CHARACTERS ARE REVEALED IN TERMS OF THE ACTION. IN MOVIES LIKE JAWS, CHARACTERS ARE SIMPLY FUNCTIONS OF THE ACTION."William S. Pechter, Commentary

Wonder how they will have changed their tune if asked about it now? Funny how critics tend to change opinion, especially in light of audience response/box office etc etc...Avengers extra star on DVD release wtf??? More